Upcoming Events: Give the Planet a Hug

This coming Sunday, April 22, is Earth Day. That means plenty of tree-hugging food events that make you want to throw off the surly bonds of cynicism for at least one day and acknowledge that maybe you really do like Earth. And Revival Market is a good place to start.

On April 22, Revival Market will be hosting a Sunday Picnic Supper made with seasonal, farm-fresh ingredients, including Way Back When Dairy and Atkinson Farm. The menu costs $19.95 a person and includes buttermilk fried chicken, potato salad, collard greens, jalapeño cornbread, local berry cobbler with homemade vanilla ice cream, sweet tea and lemonade. Picnic tables will be provided, and you're welcome to BYOB. The party starts at 5:30 p.m. and it's first come, first served.

And at an H-E-B near you, the grocery stores will be giving away free reusable bags to customers who bring in five or more plastic bags for recycling. The grocery chain plans to give away 250,000 reusable bags this year, the fifth year that it's offered this Earth Day swap. To get your free bag, head to H-E-B between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. this Sunday.

This coming Tuesday, April 24, catch two of Houston's best chefs grilling steaks...at Walmart? I'll admit to not fully understanding this partnership, but if you want to see Ronnie Killen of Killen's Steakhouse and Bryan Caswell of Reef grilling some choice Walmart steaks, next Tuesday is the time to do it. The competition will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Walmart Supercenter #1409 (10750 Westview).

Cinco de Mayo events are already gearing up for this year, and one of our favorite places for tacos and margaritas has announced a party you won't want to miss. El Gran Malo is hosting a "Big Bad" Cinco de Mayo party all day long on Saturday, May 5, from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. FOX's Masterchef contestant Alvin Schultz will be pouring liquid nitrogen-frozen margaritas throughout the day. Karbach Brewing Co. will be pouring its delicious beer. And street tacos will be served outside with chili and garlic-marinated carne asada, grilled onions, peppers and lime. (The full menu will also be available.) Tents with alcoholic snow cones, tequila-soaked frozen fruit and champagne cocktails will also be on hand, as will a DJ and a mariachi band. Orale.

Also kicking off in May, James Coney Island will be celebrating its 89th anniversary by offering its Original Coneys -- hot dogs with mustard, chili and onions -- for just 89 cents. The offer takes place on the third Thursday of every month until September. There's no limit on the number of 89 cent dogs you can order, the offer is good at all 21 stores and you can dine in or take out. Hell, you can even upgrade to a Cheese Coney for just 30 cents more. The deal starts on May 17. See you there (and don't be mad when you find out I've ordered all the Coneys in the joint ahead of you).